Dorothy "Dottie" Keene McPherson

Dorothy Keene McPherson ("Dottie") entered into the presence of her Lord on November 29, 2025.

She was born in Orlando, FL on October 11, 1927 to Rodolphus D. and Mary Giddens Keene.

Dottie graduated from Ward Belmont, Nashville, TN and later the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City.

At age 16, she met the love of her life, John Richard ("Dick") McPherson, who had just graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. They were happily married for 65 years until his death in 2010.

Dottie was a beautiful, gracious and generous woman who treasured her relationship with Jesus Christ. Although known as a wonderful cook and cordial hostess, her greatest passion was Christian ministry.

In 1981 she became involved with Chuck Colson at Prison Fellowship and was soon designated "Ambassador at Large". She represented the United States Prison Fellowship at their International Convocations in Kenya, Costa Rica and Korea. She was also active with Here's Life, an outreach of Campus Crusade.

She spent many summers enjoying the mountains in Highlands, NC; eventually making it her permanent home. Dottie was a very active member of the local Community Bible Church and a member of Highlands Country Club, Wildcat Cliffs Country Club and the Country Club of Orlando. She is a past Board member of the Orlando Museum of Art.

Dottie was a talented cook and a hardworking, yet always steadfast perfectionist. She was also a car enthusiast who loved sport cars, skillfully navigating mountain curves and leaving those famously slow Florida drivers far behind! She attended the Porsche driving school in Atlanta in her late 80's.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Keene McPherson Gerber and her sister, Betty Keene Thomas. She is survived by her son, Rex Vanburt McPherson II (Jan) and two grandchildren, Rex V. McPherson Ill (Anna) and Mary Virginia McPherson Botts (Wade) and four great grandchildren, Andrew, Elise, and John McPherson and Blair Botts, and her niece Laura Lambert (Tom).

Finally, a special mention of thanks concerning Lenda Kyle who served faithfully for nearly 20 years as caregiver for both Dottie and Dick.

A private family graveside service will be held in Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Community Bible Church P.O. Box 2916 Highlands, NC 28741 or Prison Fellowship 44180 Riverside Parkway Lansdowne, VA 20176.

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McPherson family.